Safety car-wrench.



LE ROY MONTZ.

SAFETY CAR WRENCH.

APPLICATION TILED AUG-25.19%.

Patented Aug 14, 1917.

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LE BOY MONTZ, OF MILTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

SAFETY GAR-WRENCH.

Application filed August 25, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Ln ROY MONTZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milton, in the county of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety CarWrenches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved wrench primarily designed for use in connection with railway cars or other movable structures having hinged bottoms; and the main object of the invention is to provide means whereby the operator may release the holding pawl and allow the bottom sections to swing into an open position without the liability of injury due to the spinning of the wrench.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved wrench for positively and effectually engaging the squared or other similarly formed end of the Windlass shaft of the car after the holding pawl has been released, whereby the windlass shaft may be rotated so as to move the bottom section out of binding engagement and allow the same to move to a completely open position; the wrench being so formed that the increased rotation of the Windlass shaft due to the voluntary opening of the bottom section will not in any way affect the movement of the handle. Y

A further object resides in the provision of an improved wrench of the foregoing nature which includes a body structure, in which is loosely mounted the engaging jaw and improved means including a rockably mounted pawl to couple the said body and jaw; the pawl being so formed that it may be quickly and safely operated, or automatically actuated to allow independent rotation of the aw.

A still further object is to provide a device of the type in question which is simple, compact and durable and which, by reason of its simplicity, it is believed may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent during the continuance of the following description.

The above and other objects which will become apparent are accomplished by such means as are shown in their preferred form in the accompanying drawings, described in Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 14, 1917.

Serial No. 47,321.

the following specification and then more specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings where like characters designate like parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing my improved wrench in its preferred embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section.

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the improved pawl pivotally mounted on the body portion .and adapted to engage ratchet teeth which are formed on the engaging jaw.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates a suitably formed socket which may receive a handle or operating portion 11. A plate 12 is carried by said socket and is in turn provided with an upstanding block or buffer 13 formed by squaring the end of the plate, the latter structure being provided adjacent the outer end of the plate 12 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The plate 12 is further provided with a pair of spaced lugs 14 which are arranged adjacent the rear end thereof and engage the forward end of the socket 10. For the purpose that will presently appear, each of the said lugs 14 is provided with upstanding projection 15.

A second plate 16 is now provided, the rear end of which rests on the lugs 14: and is suitably cut-out as indicated by the numerals 17 to receive the projection 15. The forward end of the plate 16 is in turn provided with a tongue 18 which projects into a suitable cut-out portion 19 in the buffer 13. In order to clamp the two plates together, a plurality of fastening members 20 are employed and are arranged in the manner shown.

Each of the plates 12 and 16is provided with a circular cut-out 21, the cutouts in each plate registering as illustrated. Now, in view of the fact that the plates are spaced apart in the manner shown in Fig. 2, the annular flange 22 on the gripping jaw 23 may be received therebetween, while the enlargements 24: formed on the said jaw project through each of the cutouts 21. Upon reference to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noticed that the annular flange 22 is provided with a series of ratchet teeth 25 whereby it may be effectually controlled by a pawl member pivoted between the plates.

In view of supporting a pawl member, each of the said plates 12 and 16 is provided with an upstanding ear 26, which ears are connected by a pintle 27.

In consistence with the foregoing an improved pawl is provided which consists of a segmental body portion 28 that has a transverse opening 29 for the reception of the pintle, and an outstanding catch 31 for engagement with the teeth 25 on the jaw member. A handle portion 32 is also provided on the pawl'whereby the same may be properly actuated.

Now in the operation of the device, the operator first manipulates the wrench so that the buffer 13, engages the holding pawl of the car and by applying suitable pressure to the wrench, the said pawl may be disengaged from the ratchet wheel of the car. After the holding pawl has been released the bottom sections of the car will not open voluntarily by reason of the binding action exerted therebetween. However at this point the wrench is engaged with the square end of the windlass shaft, whereby the operator may manipulate the same so as to rotate the Windlass shaft in a manner that will cause the voluntary opening of the bottom sections. At the time the bottom sections begin to open voluntarily, the windless shaft is rotated at a high rate of speed consequently imparting a similar movement to the engaging jaw of the wrench. However in view of the specific pawl connection between the body of the wrench and the engaging pawl, the shaft rotating in the same direction as the pitch of the teeth of the ratchet operates to automatically disengage the pawl 28 and this increased rotation will not be imparted to the body portion of the device. If the speed of the engaged jaw increases, the pawlon the body portion will become disengaged from it allowing the body portion and the handle of the wrench to be held stationary. Spacing flanges 33 are carried by the outer face of the plates 12 and 16 as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, the flanges on each plate being shown oppositely disposed and arcuate in form.

From the foregoing it is believed that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily appreciated and therefore further description is deemed unnecessary.

In reducing my invention to practice I find that the form referred to herein as the most practical and preferred embodiment is the most efiicient, but realizing that certain conditions will necessarily vary in concurrence with the adoption of the device, I desire to emphasize the fact that various minor changes in the details of construction and in the proportion of parts may be resorted to when required without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

In a device of the class described, a wrench comprising a base plate, means carried by said base plate for connection with a handle, supporting lugs arranged at one end of said base plate, the other end of said plate being cut out to form a seat, projections on said lugs, a second plate formed at' one end to be received in said seat, the other end of said last mentioned plate resting on said supporting lugs and having cutouts to receive said project-ions, means to connect said base plate and said second mentioned plate a jaw movable between said plates, ratchet teeth formed on said jaw, a pawl carried by said plates having means for engagement with said ratchet teeth whereby said jaw and said plates may be coupled for movement in one direction, and lateral spacing fianges on said plates. v

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LE ROY MONTZ. l/Vitnesses:

H. O. STRINE, NORMAN BEYERs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for f ve cents each, by addrcssi'ng'the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

